Ghana Produce Outstanding Performance to Beat Switzerland in Final Friendly Ahead of World Cup

Ghana Produce Outstanding Performance to Beat Switzerland in Final Friendly Ahead of World Cup

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:17 PM
In this article:
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FIFA World Cup
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M. Salisu
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  • Ghana rounded up their pre-World Cup preparations with victory over Switzerland on Thursday
  • Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and Bristol forward Antoine Semenyo scored for the Black Stars
  • Ghana will begin their World Cup next week with their opener against Portugal on November 24

Defender Mohammed Salisu and forward Antoine Semenyo scored their first goals for the Black Stars as Ghana beat Switzerland in their final friendly ahead of the World Cup.

Salisu's second half lofting header and Semenyo's powerful strike ensured the Black Stars leave for Qatar with their confidence boosted.

Switzerland started off well with Ruben Vargas coming close in the 6th minute after meeting a cross from Breel Embolo from the right. 

Ghana, Black Stars, World Cup, Mohammed Salisu, Antoine Semenyo
Ghana has beaten Switzerland in the final friendly ahead of the World Cup. Credit: @GhanaBlackstars
Source: Twitter

However, the Black Stars responded moments later after Baba Rahman sent in a through ball, which was fired by Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, but did not trouble Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer. 

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Midway through the first half Jordan Ayew also tried his luck from long range but it was calmly collected by Sommer before Mohammed Salisu had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, but his effort went wide. The Southampton defender met a cross from Jordan Ayew.

Just before half time Embolo missed the Swiss' best chance after failing to score from close range. 

In the second half, Inaki Williams created Ghana's first opportunity after outwitting his marker on the right before sending in a cross which was missed by Barnieh and the Ayew brothers after getting into the box late. 

Black Stars coach Otto Addo made some changes bringing on Antoine Semenyo, Kofi Kyereh, Kamal Sowah and Kamaldeen Sulemana to replace Elisha Owusu, Afriyie Barnieh, Iñaki Williams and Jordan Ayew. 

Minutes later Ghana won a corner kick which was taken by Kyereh and after the Switzerland defenders failed to clear Salisu rose high to head home the opener. 

Two minutes later Semenyo doubled the lead after an electric run on the left from Kamaldeen Sulemana saw the Stade Rennais attacker evade his markers leading to the ball falling perfectly for the Bristol City striker. 

The Black Stars will open their World Cup campaign on November 24 against Portugal in Group H. 

Otto Addo confident ahead of World Cup

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the head coach of Ghana Black Stars, Otto Addo has stated that his side has the quality to spring surprises at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana players have landed in Qatar ahead of the global showpiece, and will face Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay in a challenging Group H.

Although they are the lowest-ranked side going into the tournament, the coach of the side believes the Black Stars will do well.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.
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